Science, Complexity and Sustainability in the University of the Future

Summary

This activity begins with a series of seminars that build student knowledge about systems, regenerative systems and complex adaptive systems. These seminars give students access to thought leaders that helps them develop their systems-thinking skills and ability to make whole-system decisions.

The seminars develop student understanding of the Earth and the human Mind as complex adaptive systems; and how both can co-adapt to allow people to live within nature as a complex adaptive systems. The seminars also build student understanding of the relationship to different building traditions, science and sustainability; and their understanding of the relation of sustainability, system degradation and the converging forces of global change. It also builds student understanding of the relationships of complexity science, sustainable land systems, sustainable communities, and the cognitive shift from competitive to collaborative thinking and engagement.

Students then apply this understanding in the conceptualization of a Regional University of the Future, and curricular approach to educating people to be societal leaders that could help communities address the profound environmental, social and economic challenges of the present and future. These include the challenges of: how to co-adapt with systems to produce an ecologically, socially and economically healthier world; how to live within nature's laws and limits; and how to help communities live within the dynamics of a place and culture to produce sustainable communities.

Learning Goals

Activity goals:

Advancing student skills in systems-thinking and identification of whole-system strategies and solutions

Introducing students to learning how to live within nature's regenerative systems as complex adaptive systems.

Developing student understanding of Earth as a complex adaptive system that self-regulates and self-manages the regenerative systems upon which people depend for survival

Developing student understanding of the human Mind as a complex adaptive system and as an integral part of nature

Developing student understanding of different development traditions and their relationship to science and sustainability

Developing student understanding of how to co-adapt development with nature as a complex adaptive system; and problems of failing to co-adapt

Developing student understanding of the relation of sustainability, system degradation and the converging forces of change

Developing student understanding of the relationships of complexity science, sustainable land systems and sustainable communities

Developing student ability to shift from competitive to collaborative engagement

Context for Use

This activity was designed for upper level undergraduate and graduate students. It includes a series of seminars that are informed by readings and other communications of thought leaders. The seminars build student understanding of: complex adaptive systems; Earth and Mind as complex adaptive systems; the implication of different development traditions to complex adaptive systems; and the relationship of science and complexity, and sustainability. Knowledge built in the seminar series is applied to conceptualize a Regional University of the Future (RUF) for a specific ecological and cultural region. The content of the seminars and application changes each year due to the emergent nature of complexity science and the on-going and escalating change occurring in the complex adaptive system that includes Earth and Mind.

The issues explored in the activity can be approached at different levels for other audiences. Each would require the design of a significantly different activity with different format, engagement strategies, content, and application approach.

Description and Teaching Materials

This activity begins with a series of small group seminars that focus on the relationship of complex adaptive system, complexity science and sustainable development,. It builds student knowledge of how to promote a sustainable future; and to apply that knowledge to conceptualize a new type of university that would prepare people who could lead society to a sustainable future. In the activity, readings inform small group seminar discussions that identify sustainable development issues.. Knowledge about these issues is enhanced through lecture, videos, and increasingly through TED Talks directed to each issue. The knowledge gained enriches subsequent small group seminars and the knowledge that students them apply in conceptualizing their University of the Future.

Teaching Notes and Tips

Assessment

Assessment takes place in three ways. The first assesses student understanding of readings, lectures, videos, TED Talks and other course experiences as communicated through the quality of student participation in small-group seminars. The second assesses the student's ability to apply the knowledge gained in the course as represented through their performance on projects and assignments. The third assesses student ability to facilitate innovation through leadership of small-group seminars including seminars targeted to recommended enhancement of the activity in further years.

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Provenance

Created by the author of the page containing
this file. John L. Motloch, Phd; Professor of Landscape Architecture and Director, Land Design Institute; Ball State University 00.

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